I remember THIS DAY like it was yesterday.
My older son had been yearning for a sibling and when we brought home his little brother from the hospital, he couldn’t get enough of him.
Thirteen years later, their relationship has blossomed. While not always “smooth”, they have a mutual respect and love for one another which is beyond words.
As they become young adults, there are some lessons and advice that I’d like them to know regarding their food allergies.
Here is my list of 25 things I’d like my sons, who happen to have food allergies, to know.
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Food allergies don’t define you
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Always read labels
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Don’t let your food allergies hold you back from anything
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Always have your medicine
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Be prepared
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Not everyone will understand your food allergies
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True friends will understand your food allergies
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Self-advocate
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Treat at the first signs of a reaction
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You are not defective
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Know how to cook for yourself
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Be grateful for what you have
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Be grateful for what you don’t have
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Teach your friends about your food allergies
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Be responsible
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Be safe
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Hurting people hurt
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Forgive others
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Your choices have consequences
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Look for the good in the situation
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Be careful
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Happiness is a choice
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Be proactive
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Everyone is dealing with something
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I love you more than you will ever know
~Mom
What do you want your children to know? Share it with us in the comments below.
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I want my children to know it’s okay to advocate for themselves. They have to ask for accommodations and if they don’t ask they won’t know if someone can accommodate them or not. Also to trust their gut & if someone assures them a food is safe they must still check labels & ask questions.
Thanks Jyoti. Yes advocating for themselves and reading labels are so important. Have your children had the opportunity to ask or do they seeing you modeling the behavior?